Warnest vies for third World title

Gun Willalooka shearer Shannon Warnest is in the form of his life, hoping to clinch a third world championship next month.

On Sunday, he heads to New Zealand for the World Shearing & Wool Handling Championships in Invercargill from February 8 to 11.

In the past three months he has shorn 10,000 sheep, including two trips to King Island shearing Corriedales, plus time at Coola Station, Kongorong, on composite-type sheep, ready for the challenge of the NZ Romneys and crossbreeds.

"I haven't done that number for years," Mr Warnest said. "I have been shearing 6000-7000 a year, especially while we had the [Willalooka] tavern."